YUZHNO-SAKHALINSK, March 3. /TASS/. A big oil spill has been registered at the Ekhabi field in northern Sakhalin, a source in the environmental prosecutor’s office told TASS on Thursday.

"The oil spill was registered on March 2 at the Ekhabi field operated by RN Sakhalinmorneftegaz Co. According to the Sakhalin department of the Russian emergencies ministry, about 15 tons of oil might have leaked to pollute an area of 60 by 60 meters," the source said.

The press service of Sakhalinmorneftegaz told TASS the spillage occurred when maintentance works were conducted on a non-operating oil pipeline. The spill has been localized, clean-up operations are underway.